I hoped to read 50 books this year. I’ll end the year having read 30. These are a few of my favorites.
The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman
Emily talks about offering a space for those who suffer from decision fatigue. I love how she gently sits, shares her experiences with making decisions, and then leads you to understanding what your next right thing is. This book offers easily digestible essays. It’s practical and lovely- a great combination for a book.
Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty and Peace, by Christie Purifoy
Christie Purifoy is on my short list of authors who have mastered the craft of memoir in a way that takes my breath away. She tells of the universal desire we have to create beauty in our places- our homes and community and illustrates it against the background of caring for their home. This is a book I’ll read over and over again.
The Woman in Cabin 10, by Ruth Ware
This suspense/mystery was an exciting ride. I was not able to predict the twists and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 
What Is A Girl Worth, by Rachael Denhollander
This is the most important book I read this year. This is Rachael’s account of testifying about the abuse she experienced from Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics. If you care to understand the dynamics of abuse and what it takes for someone to report it, you should read this book. The principles apply to all types of abuse. Rachael is a courageous advocate for those who have been abused and I’m grateful for her voice.
Catch and Kill, by Ronan Farrow
Catch and Kill is Ronan Farrow’s account of his experience of attempting to report on the horrific abuse inflicted by Harvey Weinstein. It tells the story of what happens when you attempt to expose the truth about a person with power and influence and what people will do to protect their own power even when it means covering for criminal abuse. I read this book over two days. I couldn’t put it down and when I did, it was to catch my breath over the horrifying ways people chose their comfort and careers over telling the truth. Ronan Farrow also has a podcast that tells more of the background of this story. Check it out here.